Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Ryniec.
Barbara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I went to school to be a teacher and worked in restaurants to help pay for my expenses during that time. I fell in love with managing restaurants and pursued that, I spent 12 years learning how to run an efficient and profitable business while getting to “serve” people. As the years passed, the negative energy surrounding me grew, and the hour’s way outweighed the rewards, I decided I had to find a way out. I took a risk and leaped into an hourly office manager job at a small mental health office. It was here that I learned there are so many other ways to “serve” people.
I was not sure what the client population would be when I accepted the J.O.B. but soon learned that our clients were amazing human beings. Almost every one of them was just trying to find their way through life or help guide their children through it! Every one of them has a unique story and is brave enough to tell it. Every one of them teaches me something about perspective.
The practitioners that I was surrounded by were kind, compassionate, and brilliant at understanding the human condition. But…they were not all so brilliant at running a profitable business. This is where I was able to “serve” and impact the great people I worked with and for every day.
3 years ago, one of the partners at that practice, Dr. Robert Kulkarni (psychiatrist), and I decided that it was time to open a new practice, The Kulkarni Group, LTD. We did this so that we could help the amazing psychiatric providers practice the way that they always wanted to. We wanted them to let go of the restraints put on them by working for hospitals and large group practices. These providers now have full autonomy over their patient’s care. They now have full autonomy over their schedules and their lifestyles.
I have taken this to the next level and have started another company as well, Align. We are building these practices specifically for prescribing psychiatric practitioners. We are aligning all of the services that practitioners need to treat their patients in a private practice setting. We have comprehensive concierge level suites, staffed with top-notch staff. We do all of the providers busy work, such as billing and insurance, scheduling, communication between patients and their providers. So many providers have no idea how to start their own business and fear prevents them from making the leap.
We are helping these providers build their own practice, their own way. And even though they each have their own practices, they are sharing staff and only paying for the space that they need. This allows them to have an independent practice without having to open and staff a whole group practice. This means a fraction of the price.
We have proven that when practitioners take the leap, they fall in love with practicing medicine again. The change in lifestyle that is afforded after this change is made leads to practitioners who have energy and passion again. And this energy and passion get to be passed onto the people of our communities that we are serving.
This is how I now get to “serve” our community. I take care of the providers so they can take care of their patients.
I now know that even though, 20 some years ago I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and I spend years feeling like I was floundering out there, that eventually all the stars aligned, and all the strengths that I picked up along the way are coming together to serve a purpose.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This is a lot of boring information… but you asked!
I would say that the biggest challenge in the way is how the providers have been programmed. Out of school, they are offered these big hospital jobs with great benefits packages. For most though, this sucks the passion out of the providers. They are forced to work long hours, holidays, and weekends. After this wears them out, they go to large groups thinking that it will be easier. But in large groups, even if you are a partner, you often have to accept whatever insurance the large groups are in network with. You don’t always know where your money is going. And if you open your own office and take on a full patient load, you have to hire staff in order to be able to handle the day to day business needs.
The other problem… the average age of a psychiatrist is 65 years old. There are not a ton of medical students who are willing to go into psychiatry. The amount of years the program takes vs. the amount of money that is to be made is unbalanced compared to other fields of medicine.
Hopefully, in January the bill will be passed that nurses will not need a psychiatrist to collaborate with. This will allow so much more qualified nurses to go into private practice as well. The next challenge that will come after that is teaching the community of the nurses’ capabilities!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Align – what should we know?
I chose the name for this new venture to be “Align” because when passionate people do meaningful work in an optimal environment surrounded by amazing, like-minded colleagues, everything “aligns” and magic happens. Patients heal and can lead new lives. Providers feel deep down that they are in the right place at the right time doing the right work. There is energy, collaboration, creativity, innovation and forward momentum. I want to build that ambiance and that workspace so that talented professionals can heal broken people. Life breaks us all down at some point; Align is here to build people back up and even beyond so they can soar. Mental illness is devastating to the people who experience it and also to those who love them and try to help. All of us here at Align get that to our core and are here to not just check off a box that a worksheet was filled out and a script was written, but to restore a life and lift people out of darkness. With a new practice option (going solo) and the custom-designed infrastructure to support professional dreams, the practice of mental health care in communities that Align will serve will feel different — patients will feel that they get more time, attention, dignity and compassion at Align offices.
Treatment will not be impersonal, rushed and focused on the quickest way to get them out of the office. And practitioners will feel inspired not burned out. I want the entire experience in the offices and practices that I design to be transformative. And restore hope for the future. The brand that I see in my head will speak to a certain type of mental health provider, who will hear the call to come join us. And my professional goal is to help them align with their dream so they can serve their patients at their personal and professional best. I cannot wait until I have witnessed this happen a thousand times! I know in my soul that this is a worthy pursuit, and I wake up every morning ready to build the next piece of this. I have the best job ever!!!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Dr. Robert Kulkarni has been one of the greatest collaborating mentors! We keep each other balanced! He always gives me the human perspective of business. There are no rules set in stone because no two people’s stories are the same!
Cindy Kulkarni (Community Liaison) is my amazing Think Tank! She gets so many ideas flowing on how we can help serve our community!
Ginny Page, (Executive Assistant) compensates for so many of my shortcomings!!! My weaknesses are her strengths!
My little man, Chase! He just turned 5 and has reminded me why I need to remain driven but that I also need to remain balanced! He loves so freely. He reminds me daily that the ugly in the world is taught to us, and that we are not born with it!
My Mom and Dad. My Dad had the courage to become an entrepreneur when we were kids. He and my Mom ran an iron fence company, (Economy Iron) that my brother now runs and sister also works at. My Dad was a fair and honest man who treated people with kindness and honesty. My Mom always made sure this did not change! Hard work was instilled in all of us, as well as understanding the value of every dollar to a business.
Contact Info:
- Address: Cantera Corridor, Warrenville, IL
- Website: www.align.management
- Phone: 630-699-5278
- Email: barb.ryniec@align.management
Image Credit:
Jamie Matthews Photography
Wix
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